NameCensus.

UK surname

Samir

A surname thought to be derived from an Arabic word meaning "entertainer" or "night companion".

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Sandwell, Croydon and Manchester.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Samir is 109 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

109

2016, ranked #29,402

Peak year

2014

109 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 109 in 2016, ranked #29,402.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Samir surname distribution map

The map shows where the Samir surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Samir surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Samir over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1861 historical 2 #34,135
1911 historical 1 #34,332
1997 modern 36 #34,071
1998 modern 37 #34,149
1999 modern 31 #34,821
2000 modern 30 #34,885
2001 modern 33 #34,436
2002 modern 37 #34,390
2003 modern 34 #34,681
2004 modern 42 #34,222
2005 modern 43 #34,328
2006 modern 49 #34,152
2007 modern 60 #33,539
2008 modern 75 #32,373
2009 modern 82 #32,048
2010 modern 88 #31,875
2011 modern 81 #32,558
2012 modern 104 #29,543
2013 modern 103 #30,235
2014 modern 109 #29,452
2015 modern 108 #29,512
2016 modern 109 #29,402

Geography

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Where Samirs are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Sandwell, Croydon and Manchester. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Sandwell 028 Sandwell
2 Croydon 002 Croydon
3 Manchester 002 Manchester
4 Manchester 008 Manchester
5 Manchester 028 Manchester

Forenames

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First names often paired with Samir

These lists show first names that appear often with the Samir surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Samir

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Samir, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Samir surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Samir household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Samir is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Samir is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Samir falls in decile 3 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Samir is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Other Ethnic Group

This describes the area pattern most associated with Samir, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Samir

The surname "SAMIR" has its origins in the Arabic language and culture, tracing back to the Middle Ages. It is believed to have emerged from the Arabian Peninsula, specifically in areas that are now part of modern-day Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and the United Arab Emirates.

One of the earliest known references to the name "SAMIR" can be found in ancient Arabic manuscripts dating back to the 8th century CE. These documents mention individuals bearing this surname, indicating its presence and usage during the early Islamic era.

The name "SAMIR" is derived from the Arabic word "samara," which means "to converse" or "to tell stories." This suggests that the surname may have initially been associated with individuals who possessed exceptional storytelling abilities or were known for their oratory skills.

In the 10th century, records show a prominent figure named Samir ibn Muhammed al-Qurashi, who was a renowned scholar and poet born in Mecca in 920 CE. His works and contributions to Arabic literature have been widely celebrated throughout the ages.

During the Abbasid Caliphate, which ruled from 750 to 1258 CE, several individuals with the surname "SAMIR" held influential positions within the court and administrative ranks. One notable example is Samir al-Din al-Hafiz, a high-ranking official who served as the vizier (prime minister) under Caliph al-Muqtadi in the late 12th century.

As the Arabic language and culture spread across North Africa and parts of the Mediterranean region, the surname "SAMIR" traveled along with the expansion of Islamic civilization. Historical records from the 13th century mention a Samir ibn Abdallah, a merchant and traveler who journeyed extensively throughout the region, documenting his experiences in written accounts.

In the 15th century, during the golden age of the Ottoman Empire, a distinguished military commander named Samir Pasha gained recognition for his strategic leadership and valor on the battlefield. He played a crucial role in several significant campaigns and battles that shaped the empire's territorial expansion.

It is worth noting that variations and alternative spellings of the surname "SAMIR" have existed throughout history, such as "Sameer," "Samer," or "Samier." These variations often reflect regional dialects, linguistic influences, or transliteration differences from Arabic to other languages.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Samir surname: questions and answers

How common is the Samir surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 109 in 2016. That gives Samir a modern rank of #29,402.

What does the Samir surname mean?

A surname thought to be derived from an Arabic word meaning "entertainer" or "night companion".

What does the Samir map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Samir bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.